After several days of orientation in Austin, today is the day that the Makarios summer interns land on the ground in the D.R. , and we could not be more excited to have them here! The summer interns will be an integral part of the Makarios team during one of the busiest times of the year in which short term teams from our partner churches will also be on the ground with us each week, soccer camp will be in full swing and the school will be cultivating hearts and minds during the summer session. We are elated to have 7 sets of fresh eyes, willing and able bodies to share in the labor, and God seeking individuals that we can pour into as well, giving them not just a flavorful taste but a hearty bite of the Makarios mission. Without further delay, let us introduce and welcome our summer interns!

INTRODUCING: Jack I've been on three previous one week trips to the DR with Makarios when I was in high school. So, I've only been for a total of three weeks, but those three weeks profoundly impacted my life and my goals. During those three weeks I spent my time with the work crew building driveways and tool sheds, and through that I gained a real passion for physically helping people. Naturally, the DR also gave me a real passion for travel and cultures that are foreign to my own. Those things, along with my affinity for science and Makarios' undying desire to weave God and His good news into every part of its ministry, has led me to pursue a career in medicine with hopes of taking it, and Christ, abroad. So, this summer internship means a lot more to me than just a cool summer abroad. It's a real chance to give back to a people and a place that have influenced me to help people physically and spiritually around the world.

INTRODUCING: ReedI just completed my sophomore year at Baylor University and will be a junior in the Fall of 2016. In Waco, I work as an intern with the youth ministry at Highland Baptist Church. I have been on three week-long mission trips with Makarios before. Those trips made a huge impact on my personal relationship with God. While there, I built strong relationships with Makarios staff members and kids which led me to feeling called to apply for an internship with Makarios. I applied to this internship because I am passionate about the calling to carry the Gospel to the ends of the Earth, and because I believe in what Makarios is doing. I love that Makarios puts Christ first, focuses primarily on spiritual needs of people rather than just their physical needs, and empowers individuals within the community to make a difference, all for God’s glory. All that being said, I am beyond excited to be serving alongside Makarios this summer!

INTRODUCING: ReganI actually heard about Makarios for the first time in January. I’ve had a desire in myheart to experience long-term mission work at some point before I graduate college.I began to search for different ministries and stumbled upon Makarios on AustinRidge and Austin Stone’s website. From there, I contacted Makarios and startedinterviewing. As much prayer and thought went into the process I realized more andmore that God was opening doors.

I want to intern at Makarios for three main reasons. First, because of my God-givendesire to further His Kingdom in the hope that the people of the Dominican Republicwould have LIFE and know the One that created them. Secondly, I didn’t want mysummer to be about me. I wanted my eyes off of myself and instead on others.Lastly, I desire to be challenged and pushed completely out of my comfort zone. Ithink I experience the greatest growth when I am in desperate need for the Lord andam relying on Him fully.​I am incredibly excited for this summer at Makarios. I know He is going to strip meof much and teach me endless lessons. I can’t wait to watch Him move.

INTRODUCING: EmilyI will be returning to the DR for the second time this summer. During my first visit last January I was baptized on the beach by my youth pastor from the Fellowship. Ever since then the Lord has made a special place in my heart for the DR. This summer I am looking forward to loving on sweet kids and pursuing Jesus with everything that I have. My prayer for my time in the Dominican is that I would focus on being deeply dependent on The Lord more than any other thing in this world.

INTRODUCING: ElysaHello! My name is Elysa Wolf, and I grew up in Austin, TX, and just finished my freshman year at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where I am studying Bio-Chemistry with a minor in Integrative Biotechnology. I am also swimming with the Calvin Knights Swim Team. My roots with Makarios began with the Austin Stone Church Youth as I had the privilege of serving through week long Mission Trips to the Dominican Republic in the summers of 2013, 2014, and 2015. God developed a special place in my heart for the children and communities that Makarios serves, and it gives me great joy to have this opportunity to continue to serve alongside Makarios with this wonderful team. My prayer is that God will draw me near to Him and show me how to best serve the people in the Dominican Republic as well as the groups who will be joining us throughout the summer. I look forward to seeing the amazing work that God has planned and have already been praying for an open heart to all that God desires to teach me!

INTRODUCING: AndrewI am beyond excited to be spending my summer in the Dominican Republic. In fact, this will bethe first time in my life where I will be abroad for an extended period of time. Currently, I am anincoming sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin studying Business Honors and Finance. I firstheard about this opportunity from an older member of my fraternity and immediately felt led to pursue it. I am most excited about the opportunity to learn more about the Lord and who He has created me tobe through serving the people of the Dominican Republic. I am looking forward to helping the Makarios staff run the soccer camp and encouraging the Makarios students to seek the Lord. Overall, I am counting down the days til I am in the Dominican – Hasta Pronto!

INRODUCING: AudreyHi! I am a rising sophomore at UT, studying Business and Plan II. Outside of the classroom, I'm involved in Cru and my sorority, Tri Delta. When I first heard about Makarios and its mission in the D.R., I was so excited! In high school I was involved in a mentorship program that worked with at-risk youth and since then, I've become increasingly passionate about education! I've witnessed the opportunities and change education can bring to peoples' lives. I'm excited to work for an organization that shares this passion. Ultimately though, I'm most excited about the Gospel driven work of Makarios. I can't wait to share Christ and the incomparable hope and joy He offers with kids. What Christ offers is and will always be infinitely greater!

Welcome to the D.R. and to the Makarios family Summer Interns! We can't wait to serve alongside you sharing the love of Christ in all that we do!